User Reviews

Virgil Stanley is released from prison after serving eight years for robbery. The money he stole was never recovered, because Stanley buried it on his farm before he was arrested. There are several others interested in finding that money, including Earl Miller, who was involved in the robbery, and Jack Redmond, a law enforcement officer from the area where the robbery occurred.

During the eight years Stanley has been in prison, his wife and two sons have managed to make significant improvements to the farm, which is now thriving. Stanley is surprised at the accomplishments of his family, especially since some of the changes they have made to the farm make it difficult for Stanley to find where he buried the money.

Stanley finds himself pressured from all sides. Miller wants a share of the money. Redmond is sure Stanley has the money and wants to recover it. Stanley's family have welcomed his return and want to move on with their lives.

Meanwhile, Marshal Dillon is involved, because he has Redmond relentlessly hounding Stanley, and Dillon is suspicious that Stanley may very well have the money.

This is another of those episodes where Gunsmoke is merely the place where the story is set. Except for Matt's attempts to try to maintain order and keep Redmond from crossing the legal line while harassing Stanley, there is nothing about this episode that depends on participation from any of the regular Gunsmoke characters. However, it is a very good morality tale of a man given the opportunity to change his direction in life by making better choices. Whether Virgil Stanley has the character to make that change or not is at the crux of this episode.

The acting in this episode is up to the level we have come to expect from Gunsmoke. John Saxon, the veteran character actor, does a great job in the role of Virgil Stanley. Ed Asner is his usually nasty self as Redmond. Morgan Woodward has a smaller part than we often see for him as Earl Miller, but his frustration and loss of patience with Stanley is evident in his character.

The episode is well-written, intriguing, and not at all predictable. There is even a twist at the end.

Virgil Stanley (John Saxon) is being released from prison after serving eight years for robbery. Virgil and a man named Earl Miller (Morgan Woodward) took the $40,000 and Virgil was the one captured. Before he was caught he buried the money under a tree on his farm. On his way from prison he is met by Earl wanting his cut of the money. Needless to say Virgil is not too happy with the freed Earl but agrees to split some of the money with him.

When Virgil arrives in Dodge he is met by a private police officer, Jack Redmond (Ed Asner) who they stole the money from, he tells Virgil that he knows he has the money and will not stop hounding him until the money is returned. Marshal Dillon breaks the little reunion up and tells Virgil to take his family back to the ranch.

When Virgil arrives at the farm he finds out that his wife, Ada, and his two boys have worked the land and changed the scenery that Virgil remembered. All of the sudden Virgil has no idea where the tree is located the money is under. With Earl wanting his money and Redmond around every turn, Virgil will have to remember the sound of the whispering tree from eight years ago. Virgil's life, and his families, may depend on him remembering where the money is located.

Even though this episode did not have much action the story held up well with a powerful script. The story is not just about the money but also about not being able to see what you have until it is nearly too late. The actors were perfectly cast and did a brilliant job of making the story come to life. A really nice episode that was a pleasure to watch.